And the text of the Quran establishes this, in the words of the Most High:

“Do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, seeking the fleeting gains of worldly life. If anyone compels them, then surely Allah, after they have been compelled, is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Sūrat al-Nūr 24:33]

If this applies to coercion into prostitution, then coercion into drinking wine or eating carrion is less serious. Unlawful sexual intercourse is among the gravest major sins after murder, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, indicated when he was asked: “Which sin is the gravest?” He replied: “That you set up a rival to Allah.” The hadith continues up to the question: “Then which?” He replied: “That you commit adultery with your neighbor’s wife.” Then he recited:

“And those who do not invoke another god besides Allah, nor kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed, except by right, nor commit unlawful sexual intercourse.” [Sūrat al-Furqān 25:68]

It is well known that, in the case of slave women coerced into prostitution—as Ibn Ubayy and others like him used to force their slave women to earn money through prostitution—this does not mean that the act is done to a woman without any action on her part. Rather, she is coerced until she intends the act and carries it out. This is why He called it prostitution; the other case does not involve prostitution. This is also why He said:

“Seeking the fleeting gains of worldly life.” [Sūrat al-Nūr 24:33]

Such gains are ordinarily obtained only by one who